Ocean study: Port Dickson

We went to Port Dickson for ocean study. It was a beautiful morning with some clouds in the sky and around 8.30am in the morning. Between high tide turning towards low tide. The sand was soft & fine, many seashells are scattered around the beach. The water was salty (based on the description of those who accidentally took a gulp). 

We tried fishing using a net, but it was rather unsuccessful. Caught a bunch of dead leaves. We were far more successful digging around in the sand. All creatures were released back into their habitat. Here are some of the things we found. We had help from the Beach School family in identifying some of the items & sharing how it works, thanks for helping us! 

Sand collar
This frilly thing is made by female moon snails when they lay eggs.

Left: Yellow moon crab or Spotted moon crab (Ashtoret lunaris)
Its a beautiful golden color with little dots sprinkled across the shell, found on the sandy shore.
Right: Hermit crab occupying an empty shell

Sand dollar
There's a beautiful 5 petal pattern on top of the sand dollar. Underneath it has some short bristles that are it's legs. We can tell if a sand dollar is alive when it wriggles it's legs. Interestingly the number of rings increase with body size, so the bigger the sand dollar means it's older in age

Razor clams

Mantis shrimp. It can really jump!

Yellow moon crab

Teruntum merah Lumnitzera littorea

Timber is hard & durable, also used for marine pilings, bridges, canoes.

Mengkuang or screw palm. 
The leaves are harvested and used to weave mats.